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Fruit. — The fruits are small and nearly hemispherical, and have a 
characteristic narrow hand or rim, which usually encircles the slightly constricted 
orifice, and which is well seen on a side view of the fruit. The rim is similar in 
appearance to that observed in E. sideroxylon under similar circumstances. The 
fruit of the former species is, of course, much smaller. 
Bark.— This tree has a characteristic inner bark, which is often as yellow as 
the proverbial guinea. 
It is sometimes the case that it is difficult to discriminate this species* from 
E. Eosistoana , another “ Yellow Box,” but a knife or axe will settle the question 
at once, the inner bark of E. Eosistoana being white. 
In most parts of the country it has a sub-fibrous or “ box ” bark on the trunk 
or for a considerable distance up the butt, and smooth and even ribbony above it. 
Following are some notes made on the spot:—Bark flaky, ribbony, more like a cross 
between E. tereticornis and a Box than a true Box (Merriwa Creek). Many trees 
in the Merriwa and Cassilis district have, more than is usual, the appearance of a 
Gum than a Box. 
In the Gulgong district, often with a considerable amount of clean stem. 
Timber. —This is. sometimes a remarkably gnarled, twisted tree. 
The timber is pale-coloured, not white, but pale yellow, seasoning to a pale 
brown. It is remarkably interlocked, tough, hard, heavy and durable. In the 
south I have rarely heard the timber spoken of other than in terms of unqualified 
praise. In the north I have heard a few disparaging remarks, and two well-known 
experts say :— 
Not liked as posts in Liverpool Plains and Mudgee district. People will not accept it for posts for 
wire fences or for any other purposes if they can help it.—(Jesse (Jregson and J. D. Cox.) 
Another northern opinion says :— 
As a useful timber it nearly lasts in the ground twice as long as Box, and should be very valuable 
for mining purposes, as nearly every tree about would make lengths that would be long enough for this 
purpose. I wish to have it saved from the ring-barker.—(James Brogan, Attunga.) 
It is said to be durable both in water and under the ground. The opinion of 
some Candelo (South Coast) people differs, however, on this point. A correspondent 
says:—“It is here considered the best timber all round, but does not, as far as I can 
learn, last long in the ground.” There are many instances of such contradictory 
statements in regard to our native timbers, showing how much room there is for 
independent inquiry. 
In many parts of the country it is much esteemed for posts, being looked 
upon as almost imperishable in the ground. It is excellent for culverts. It is often 
pipy, particularly in the dry west, but it is without doubt one of the most valuable 
trees the State produces. 
